INFORMATION ON KENYAN PEOPLE

Kenya is blessed to have a large number of people that belong to various tribes occupying different parts of the country. History of Kenyan People documents that the earliest inhabitants to the country took place over five million years ago in the northern parts of the country near Lake Turkana. The largest proportion of population in the country belongs to the indigenous people that are approximated to belong to over 50 tribes. All Kenyan people are fully represented in the government and this in turn helps to foster economic growth and peace in the country.

The largest group of people in the country is the Bantu while the smallest is the El molo who reside in Lake Turkana Region. In order to understand fully the composition of the Kenyan people we have to divide the major primary groups of people that is the Bantus, the Nilotes and Cushites. Different groups have different population sizes but despite this the government has put certain measures that aim at ensuring that all people in the country are fully represented in all government projects and policy making processes.

The Nilotic group comprises of tribes such as Luo, Kalenjin, Maasai, Samburu and Turkana. Due to various interactions such as intermarriages, most of these tribes are evenly distributed in the country but some are mainly located in their ancestral home. For example a large percentage of the Samburu people live in the northern parts of the country. Maasai are very important in describing the Kenyan people   because they have preserved their culture and beliefs more than any other tribe in the country. Maasai are pastoralists who keep large herds of livestock for domestic and commercial reasons.

Other tribes in this group that practise livestock keeping as the main economic activity include Sambutu, Turkana and some sub-tribes in Kalenjin. The Luo people reside along Lake Victoria where they practise fishing as the main economic activity. However changes in the environment have led to the need for some of these tribes to change their lifestyles in order to fight food insecurity that more often than not results in periodic famine.

Another important segment in information about the Kenyan people is the Cushites group. As compared to other tribal groups in Kenya, Cushites contribute a small percentage to the total population of the country. The Somali is the major group that comprise this Kenyan people. Other tribes that comprise the group include El Molo who are very popular for their skilful tactics in hunting crocodiles and hippos for food purposes. Other cultural activities carried out by the group include collection of ornaments and beads, collection of ostrich eggs. The ornaments are worn by both women and men especially during certain occasions such as marriages and initiations.

The Somali group on the other hand are mainly livestock keepers who provide various animal products for the Kenyan people. Some of the animals kept include cattle, sheep, goats and camels. Due to the harsh climatic conditions in their area of residence, they usually suffer from hunger especially during the dry season. However the government has introduced various agricultural projects that will help boost food security in the region. The tribe is united by the extend families which usually live in one large homestead just like the Maasai who live in Manyattas.

Kenyan people also comprises of the Bantu, this is the largest group in the country and comprises of tribes such as Embu, Meru, Akamba, Luyha and Kikuyu. The main economic activity carried out by this people is farming due to the good weather and soils experienced in most parts of the country occupied by the group. Kikuyu has the largest number of people as compared to the other tribes. One can argue that the tribe is more adapted to the western culture and this in turn has enables the tribe to prosper economically more than the rest of the population. The Meru people are located on the slopes of Mt Kenya where they grow crops such as coffee, tea, Miraa and sisal in some parts.

The Akamba on the other hand provide information on the Kenyan people due to their unique and sophisticated lifestyle and culture that differ in one way or another with the other Bantu groups. This tribe is very popular for the beautiful wood carving and long distance trade practised by some of the members of the community.

Information on Kenya people is very important since it helps in ensuring that all people are equally represented in the government. It also helps to promote equitable share of natural resources which in turn helps to boost the overall economic growth in Kenya.

TURKANA COUNTY REVIEW

Turkana County is located in the northern parts of Kenya and covers a total area of 68,680.3 kilometres squared. It borders Baringo, Samburu and West Pokot Counties that are also located in the region. Some of the districts that are mapped in the county include Turkana North, Turkana South and Central Turkana.

POPULATION

According to the national census exercise that was held in 2009, the total population of Turkna County is estimated to be 855,399. 14.2% of the total population is approximated to be living in the urban areas of the county while the other percentage resides in the rural areas. This numbers are projected to increase by the next national census by at least 2.3%.

CONSTITUENCIES

There are a total of three constituencies that are mapped in Turkana County namely:
• Turkana North
• Turkana Central
• Turkana South.

GEOGRAPGHY AND CLIMATE

Turkana County is one of the driest counties in the country; it receives perennial rainfall that is very unpredictable. The region at times receives no rain in a whole year and when it does rain the average amount received is approximated to range between 150 to 250mm annually. This in turn hinders the farmers from practising the various crop farming practises carried out in the highlands.

The soils are mostly sandy and lack most of the plant nutrients hence only crops that are adapted to the soils survive in Turkana County. Some of the characteristics include low water holding capacity, low humus content, salinity and high water infiltration rate. For residents to practise intensive farming they have to implement various intensive soil management practises that may be expensive and uneconomical in the long run.
The county lies on an altitude of 355 metres above the sea level and this explains the high temperatures experienced all year round. The area is generally hot, temperatures are very high during the day and very low at night. Average temperatures are approximated to be between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius.

AGRICULTURE

Turkana County is not one of the most favourable areas to carry out agricultural activities. However the government has started to implement various irrigation schemes in the region that can help in alienating poverty and improve food security in the region. Some of the crops grown include sorghum, millet and cassava because they are well adapted to growing uder high temperatures and do not require a lot of water. Specific maize species have also being introduced in the region, this one has been genetically developed to survive in the prevailing conditions of the county.
Livestock farming is the predominant form of agriculture carried out in Turkana County. Most of the residents are livestock keepers who own large herds of animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and camels. They are nomadic pastoralists who move around with their animals in search of water and pastures for their animals. The high numbers of animals kept has led to certain land degradation effects such as desertification and increased soil erosion due to removal of all the ground cover by the animals.

Most of the rivers in the area are seasonal and this in turn aggravates the problem of water shortage. Omo river that flows from Ethiopia and drain to Lake Turkana is one of the permanent rivers in the county that supply water for both domestic and agricultural purposes. Due to the flat nature of the county, during the rainy season it experiences flush floods that lead to loss of life and property since the residents are caught unaware.

ECONOMY

Livestock Farming if one of the major economic activities that residents depend on for their livelihood in term of meeting their various financial needs. Kenya Meat Commission often purchases livestock from the farmers for meat production especially during the dry season.
Surplus farm products are usually sold in the various agricultural markets in the county but this is not usually the case due to the harsh weather patterns that hinder farmers from growing many crops in their farms.
Lake Turkana National Park is one of the major tourist attraction sites in the county. Both local and international tourist visit the county and this in turn helps to promote economic growth in the county. There are several businesses that have being set up mostly in the urban areas. Examples are retail and whole sale shops, petrol stations and supermarkets.
There are a total of three commercial banks and 2 micro finances that provide Turkana County residents with affordable and reliable financial services such as loans.

HEALTH AND EDUCATION

Acccording to a survey that was carried out in 2007, the total number of primary schools in the county are 202 and 19 secondary school. Most of these schools are not well equipped hence the government need to ensure that the facilities are well able to provide quality education to the young generation in Turkana County.
There are three district hospitals and over 100 heath centres in the county. As compared to other counties the region requires more hospitals so as to meet the health needs of the population.